Why Harris moved from 'joy' to calling Trump 'a fascist'

Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, recently made headlines with her strong criticism of Donald Trump, her opponent in the upcoming presidential election. During a public event in Washington DC, she described Trump as 'increasingly unhinged and unstable. ' Harris referenced comments made by John Kelly, who previously served as Trump's Chief of Staff, in a New York Times interview. Kelly characterized Trump as someone who 'certainly falls into the general definition of fascists' and noted that Trump had made approving remarks about Hitler on several occasions. When asked directly if she believed Trump was a fascist, Harris responded with a firm 'Yes, I do. ' Following her remarks, Trump took to social media platforms X and Truth Social to dismiss Harris's comments, claiming they indicated she was losing ground in the race. He accused her of escalating her rhetoric and likened her statements to calling him Adolf Hitler, suggesting that her comments were a product of a 'warped mind. ' In the final stages of political campaigns, especially in a highly competitive race like the 2024 presidential election, candidates often resort to negative campaigning. Such attacks can effectively galvanize supporters and disrupt the opposing candidate's campaign. Harris's recent shift towards a more aggressive stance against Trump contrasts sharply with the optimistic and 'joyful' messaging she employed during the early days of her campaign. While she had previously warned about the dangers of a Trump presidency at the Democratic convention, she had largely refrained from echoing President Joe Biden's assertion that Trump posed an existential threat to American democracy. Political strategist Matt Bennett, affiliated with the centrist Democratic group Third Way, explained that Harris's decision to amplify Kelly's critical portrayal of Trump reflects a tactical approach. He noted, 'Everything she does now is tactical,' emphasizing the importance of informing voters about Kelly's comments. Harris's latest remarks come as her campaign has been actively working to appeal to independent voters and moderate Republicans who may be hesitant to support Trump again. Polls indicate that the race is extremely close, with neither candidate holding a decisive lead in key battleground states. Suburban areas surrounding major cities in these states, such as Philadelphia, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Phoenix, are home to college-educated professionals who have historically leaned Republican but are now expressing doubts about Trump's return to the White House. Bennett remarked, 'Her case for how she wins this thing is to create as broad a coalition as possible and bring over disaffected Republicans - people who just don't feel that they can vote for Trump again. ' One such voter, 20-year-old Devynn DeVelasco from Nebraska, has already been swayed by the growing list of senior Republicans who once worked for Trump but now deem him unfit for office. However, DeVelasco expressed concern about voter fatigue regarding the ongoing criticisms of the former president. 'When these reports about Kelly's comments came out, I wasn't shocked; it didn't change much,' she told the BBC. Republican strategist Denise Grace Gitsham pointed out that voters have been exposed to similar rhetoric about Trump since 2016, making it unlikely that new allegations will significantly alter their opinions. 'If you're voting against Donald Trump because you don't like his personality, you're already a decided voter,' she explained. 'But if you're someone who prioritizes policies over personality, you're likely to support the candidate you believe performed best during their time in office. ' In recent days, both Harris and Trump have sharpened their attacks on each other. During a campaign swing through key battleground states, Harris repeatedly warned of the potential consequences of a Trump presidency, particularly concerning abortion rights, healthcare, the economy, and US foreign policy. She has scheduled a rally in Texas, a state she believes exemplifies the anti-abortion future if Trump regains power. Next week, she plans to shift her focus to Washington DC, where a rally is reportedly set to take place at the National Mall, the same location where Trump spoke before his supporters stormed the US Capitol. Meanwhile, Trump has continued his barrage of attacks against Harris, labeling her as 'lazy' and 'stupid,' claiming she only became the Democratic nominee due to her ethnicity and gender. He also issued a dire warning, stating that 'we may not have a country anymore' if Harris wins. While these remarks are consistent with Trump's usual campaign strategy of attacking Democrats and emphasizing his core messages on immigration, trade, and the economy, Harris's approach of targeting anti-Trump Republicans and independents carries its own set of risks. Bennett cautioned, 'You are always shorting one thing to try to help promote something else. ' He highlighted the importance of how candidates allocate their time and resources during campaigns, as these factors can significantly impact their chances of success. Trump has been a polarizing figure in American politics for over eight years, and most Americans have firmly held opinions about him. If Harris's focus on anti-Trump sentiment proves effective in swaying voters on election day, her strategic shift will be seen as a success. Conversely, if it fails to resonate, she may face swift criticism for her approach.